Hong Kong | Living the Life | Getting Involved

There are many opportunities to engage with the wider society in Hong Kong, and our relocation guide lists organisations, charities and family groups with which expats can become involved.

Hong Kong has a long history of housing a foreign population, and there’s a wide range of social, charitable and sporting clubs and organizations to get involved in. Joining one of them is one of the best ways for newbies to meet people here, and everything gets easier once you get to know expats who know the ropes and can help you navigate your new home. If you’re working here, it’s tip-tip networking; if you’re a trailing spouse or living a quieter life, you can just call it socializing. Either way, finding the right groups to join means making friends and having a good time during your stay in the city.

Charities in particular have become more active in the last decade or so, and it seems like barely a weekend passes without a big fundraising event somewhere or other, often a glamorous occasion giving you the chance to break out the black tie or cocktail dress; for parents of young children there’s also a thriving family-oriented community. See what suits you from the listings below, but be aware there’s a lot more out there. HK Magazine and Time Out Hong Kong both in print and online regularly run articles about community organizations as well as listings, and you should also have a look at AsiaXPAT for ideas, or online communities such as GeoExpat.

Social and Family Groups

American Women’s Association

A long-established Hong Kong institution, this organization (which is open to all nationalities) does a great job of helping expats settle in, with specialized activities for newcomers. Volunteer programs, mother-and-child get-togethers and numerous social events make it one of the most energetic and visible foreign communities (there are over 700 members) in the city.

Australian Association of Hong Kong

There’s a strong Australian presence in Hong Kong, and this club brings them together for social events, many of them for the whole family. They’re quite sporty, with hikes and picnics high on the agenda, and welcome anyone with a positive attitude.

Ladies Recreation Club

An extremely active club with an incredible array of social and sporting activities ranging from ballroom dancing and flower arranging to tennis and muay Thai; there’s plenty here for both adults and children.

American Community Theater

Business and Networking Groups

Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

Hong Kong’s most esteemed and largest business organization, with 4,000 members involved in furthering the territory’s economic interests and building bridges with business people from around the world.

American Chamber of Commerce

Highly influential and probably Hong Kong’s main organization of movers and shakers outside the world of private clubs, the ACC puts together regular events and aims to keep the wheels of business oiled between the US and Hong Kong.

Ho-Sum

The Hong Kong Cancer Fund

This organization supports cancer patients and their families who have trouble dealing with the financial and psychological burden of the disease. Members get involved in hospital support services and work in the community to organize public education campaigns, as well as help raise cancer research funding.

Children’s Heart Foundation

Founded by parents based on their experience of caring for their own children suffering from congenital heart conditions, CHF encourages volunteers to help them raise money to support families and buy medical equipment, as well as organize recreational and educational activities of various kinds and help parents with overnight accommodation.

Make-A-Wish Foundation

This foundation aims to make dreams come true for children with serious, life-threatening illnesses. Volunteers are always welcome to help them implement each child’s wish, and companies are usually more than willing to help out, whether financially or through logistics expertise.

Mother’s Choice

An impressive charity which provides support and advice for young pregnant girls, to help them deal with parental or social problems they may be facing, as well as practical issues and adoption; they also run a home for the girls to stay in before and after giving birth.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Animal welfare is not as advanced in Hong Kong as in the West, but in an Asian context it’s in the vanguard and improving all the time. The SPCA rescues sick, abandoned and injured animals and is involved in re-housing unwanted pets. They’re always looking for people willing to take on animals, as well as volunteers to help take care of animals, take part in public education drives and provide general support.

Crossroads International

This organization redistributes second-hand goods to people in need both in Hong Kong and on the Chinese mainland. Volunteers are always welcome, to help fix up items before they’re passed on, raise funds, organize the stock and raise awareness.

Oxfam Hong Kong

The Hong Kong branch of this global humanitarian agency that leads the fight against poverty and injustice. The focus is both local and international, and they welcome volunteers for fundraising, administrative work and general help.

AIDS Concern

An active organization that works hard to raise awareness of how to prevent AIDS, as well as help support victims of the disease and get involved in community outreach programs to help dispel prejudice.

Samaritans

International organization providing an English-language hotline for people who need someone to talk to about their problems, no matter what. They do great work and always need caring listeners to man the phones. Potential volunteers are vetted and take part in a training course.

Hong Kong Dog Rescue

Dog-lovers may want to volunteer with this charity, which rescues abandoned and unwanted dogs to stop them from being put down in government kennels. They’re always looking for people to walk the dogs, foster them or help find people to take them in.

Environmental

Friends of the Earth

Environmental group that raises awareness and encourages the push for solutions to pressing environmental issues – highly relevant in the context of an increasingly polluted Hong Kong. Prominent for its programs aiming to find environmentally sustainable public policies and its work with businesses to promote green office practices.

World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong

These pioneers in conservation and environmental education are always looking for volunteers, particularly those with media or office skills, to help get their message out and join in the campaign to keep the natural world natural, both in Hong Kong and the world.